🇻🇳 Vietnam
E-visa required — and Australians legally can't drive here.
Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Australians, and one of the few in Asia where you genuinely need a visa in advance. It's also the country where Australia's International Driving Permit doesn't help: Vietnam recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention permit, and Australia only issues the 1949 one.
Your Vietnam trip setup
21 things Australians need to sort. Tick them off as you go.
Entry requirements
E-visa requiredUp to Up to 90 days View detailsConnectivity
Compare 8 plansFrom $4.50 Compare eSIMsTravel insurance
Compare 5 policysFrom $19 Compare insuranceMoney & payments
Compare 5 cards0.43% – 0.65% conversion fee Compare cardsAirport transfer
SGN → Ho Chi Minh CityFrom $1 Compare optionsDriving
IDP not validDrives on the right Compare car hireTravel essentials
Adapter type A/C/FTap water: not safe to drink View guideThings to do
Compare 5 experiencesFrom $35 Explore activitiesVietnam at a glance for Australians
Best time to visit
February – April and August – October
Vietnam is long — the north, centre and south have different seasons. Central Vietnam floods October – November.
9h from Sydney (direct)
Health & safety
Smartraveller: Exercise a high degree of caution
No reciprocal agreement. Serious cases are usually evacuated to Bangkok or Singapore, which costs tens of thousands of dollars without insurance.
Emergency: 113 police / 115 ambulance
Money
Hotels, chains and mid-range restaurants take cards. Street food, markets and small shops are cash.
Widely available. Fees vary a lot — TPBank and some others don't charge; Vietcombank and Agribank charge ₫50,000 or more.
Tipping: Not traditionally expected but increasingly common in tourism. ₫20,000 – ₫50,000 for a driver or guide is generous. Upmarket restaurants add a 5% service charge plus 8 – 10% VAT.
Language & culture
Vietnamese
English: Good in tourism, limited in daily life
Capital: Hanoi
Where Australians go in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi
Da Nang
Hoi An
Ha Long
Vietnam FAQs for Australian travellers
Do Australians need a visa for Vietnam?
Yes. Australians need a visa, and the simplest option is the online e-visa — USD $25 for single entry or USD $50 for multiple entry, valid for stays up to 90 days. Apply only at the official evisa.gov.vn site.
How long does a Vietnam e-visa take?
Officially three to five working days. Allow longer if you're travelling near Tet (Lunar New Year). Apply at least a week before you fly.
Can I ride a scooter in Vietnam on my Australian licence?
No, not legally. Vietnam recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Permit and Australia only issues the 1949 Geneva Convention version, so Australian IDPs aren't valid here. Riding anyway means no insurance cover if you crash — use Grab or a private driver instead.
How much money should I take to Vietnam?
Vietnam is largely cash-based for everyday spending. Withdraw from TPBank ATMs where possible, since many other banks charge ₫50,000 or more per withdrawal, and always pay in dong rather than accepting a card machine's AUD conversion.
What adapter do I need for Vietnam?
A universal adapter. Vietnamese sockets accept flat American-style and round European pins, but not the angled Australian Type I plug. Voltage is 220V, close enough to Australia's 230V.
Watching Vietnam?
We'll email you if the visa, arrival card or entry fee rules change for Australian passport holders travelling to Vietnam.